Guidance: Payment to Research Subjects
There is no set guideline regarding the total amount of payment investigators may give to study participants. The IRBMED reviewers look at each project individually in order to asses the risks and benefits involved. Payments to subjects are not necessarily required.
The norms regarding acceptable levels of payment include:
- Reimbursement for transportation and parking.
- Reimbursement for time away from work or other activities.
- Reimbursement as an incentive for participation. This incentive pay is looked at closely, to make sure that subject populations are not coerced as a result of their financial situation into participating in the research.
Note: In most cases, reimbursement is more acceptable pro-rated. Lump sums are given only upon completion of the entire research project are generally not acceptable by the IRBMED, and investigators will be asked to revise lump-sum payments to be less coercive.
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